Weddings come with their own unique stories, and sometimes, a little rain just adds to the magic. Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing an intimate ceremony at Cockington Court in Torquay, Devon. With only 20 guests, a stunning vintage Rolls Royce, and a whole lot of laughter despite the weather, it’s a wedding I won’t soon forget.
Setting the Scene: Cockington Court
Cockington Court is a charming location for weddings. It’s full of English countryside charm and beautiful surroundings. I’ve written a full detailed guide for couples getting married there (you can find it here) to help them plan their day, but even with all the prep in the world, there’s one thing you can’t plan for: the weather!
On this particular day, rain decided to join us as an unexpected guest. But honestly, it didn’t dampen the spirit one bit.
Preparation and the Importance of Timing
One of my personal rules is to ‘always arrive early’; much earlier than needed. I was due to start 30 minutes before the ceremony, but true to form, I arrived a full hour before the ceremony, just to be safe. Funny enough, as I was driving towards Cockington, the Groom’s Rolls Royce was right there in front of me!
Now, a gentle note to couples: if anything changes on the day, even if it’s just arriving early, it’s so helpful to let your photographer know. It ensures we’re exactly where we need to be to capture those precious moments as they happen.
In this case, the Groom arrived way earlier than they said, and so did the Bride! She was due 10 minutes before the ceremony, but she showed up 30 minutes before. Usually I’m capturing candids of the guests right up to the 10 minute mark, but I had a feeling I needed to leave them to it a bit earlier, and I’m glad I did. I captured some lovely photos as the Bride was walking towards the venue with her parents.
Inside the Cary Room
The ceremony was held in the Cary Room; the default space for weddings at Cockington Court these days. It’s a bright and airy room compared to the older ceremony room, but it still benefits from a little extra lighting.
I used my two Sony A7IVs, mounted with the Sony 70-200mm f2.8 V2 for tight, emotional moments and the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 V2 for wider storytelling shots. My lighting setup was simple but effective: Godox V1 speedlights on both cameras, gently bounced to soften the shadows and give an even, flattering light across the room.
Even though it was pouring down outside, inside the Cary Room there was a sense of warmth and happiness that filled every corner.
Capturing the Ceremony
Because of the small guest list, the ceremony felt incredibly intimate and personal. I took the opportunity to capture plenty of candid moments; glances, smiles, and laughter between friends and family.
One of the advantages of smaller weddings is the flexibility it gives for candids. Everyone was relaxed, chatting before the ceremony, sharing umbrellas outside, and joking about the rain. All perfect moments to document.
The Challenge of Wet Weather
After the ceremony, we had only a few minutes to capture formal and couple photos. Sadly, Cockington Court doesn’t offer any real covered options for outdoor photography; something I always advise couples about beforehand. With the rain still pouring, we had to get creative.
There’s a tiny hallway near the ceremony room that features a glass frame. I used this little space to create some beautiful portraits of the Bride and Groom, making use of the reflection in the glass to add some depth and artistry to the images.
Lessons and Reflections
Every wedding teaches me something new. This one reinforced two important lessons:
- Always be early. Things change. People get excited and arrive ahead of schedule. Being there early ensures I’m ready for anything.
- Communication is key. If your photographer knows the real timings, we can prepare for the best angles, lighting, and setups; even when everything is happening earlier than expected.
I also loved how, even with less-than-ideal weather, the joy and laughter of the day completely outshone the rain. That’s what weddings are about; Not perfect conditions, but perfect memories!
Final Thoughts
Cockington Court continues to be a beautiful choice for small, intimate weddings, even when the skies open up. With a little flexibility, some speedlights, a couple of umbrellas, and a positive spirit, you can still have stunning wedding photographs to cherish forever.
No amount of rain could wash away the happiness of this day, and honestly, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way! I love being a Wedding Photographer!
